OFFSHORE RADIO...
PIRATE RADIO...
FREE RADIO
OFFSHORE
ECHO'S MAGAZINE
is
the only magazine in the world solely devoted to Offshore radio, and is
published by FRANCE RADIO CLUB, a non-profit making association set up in 1974.
France Radio Club has its roots in the free radio movement of the 1960’s, when
groups like the Free Radio Association and Free Radio Campaign were formed to
support the offshore radio stations of that era. These groups set up branches
around Europe and across the world. France Radio Club grew out of what was
originally the Free Radio Campaign branch in France.
During the late 1970’s a number of “radio libres” (free radio) stations were set
up in France. At first they were persecuted by the authorities. The combination
of the authorities attitude against free radio and the gradual demise of the
original Free Radio Campaign, or FRC, the French group changed its name to
France Radio Club, still retaining the initials FRC. Later in an enlightened
move, the French authorities legalised the “radio libres”.
FRANCE RADIO CLUB is an independent group of listeners, sharing a love of radio
culture and free radio, especially "offshore" radio. The offshore stations, set
up on board ships, and forts, are at the heart of modern radio in Europe. They
were extremely popular throughout the 1960's & 70's and into the 1980's, when
they were the only stations to provide young people with an exclusively music
format. The listeners called them " Free Radio" stations - the authorities
"Pirate Radio".
While famous offshore radio stations like Radio Caroline, no longer broadcast
freely from International waters, the memories of offshore radio are far from
dead.
OFFSHORE ECHO'S MAGAZINE
OFFSHORE
ECHO'S magazine was first published in 1974, as a duplicated newsletter written
in French. As the readership grew the magazine expanded. English, Dutch and
German language sections were added and the magazine changed to litho printing,
allowing photographs to be used. By the end of 1982, the English language
section had grown to such an extent, that it was necessary to produce two
separate magazines.
In February 1995, Offshore Echo’s celebrated with a special colour magazine to
mark our 100th edition and FRC’s 21st anniversary.
OFFSHORE ECHO’S magazine is printed in two separate and totally different
editions - one English language, the other in French. The English edition is
devoted to Offshore Radio, with news of developments of Offshore radio
throughout the world. There are also interviews with offshore radio
personalities past and present, as well as archive material, exclusive
photographs and general news.
The French edition covers offshore radio, the French FM band, as well as the
world of free shortwave stations and world radio news. For subscription details
of both editions, see below.
Offshore Echo's is unique in being the only magazine in the world solely devoted
to offshore radio. It's readers are international, spanning more than 25
countries. They are not only listeners, but radio industry professionals from
all over the world.
ACTIVITIES
France Radio Club is involved in a campaign to return an offshore station like
Radio Caroline to the air in its original form – live – and broadcasting free,
from the International waters of the North sea. France Radio Club has consulted
with numerous European and International organisations and individuals. The aim
is to preserve history and- the pioneer of commercial music radio in Europe - as
a cultural monument, for the benefit of the future generations. France Radio
Club is looking at all means, financial, logistical and material that would
allow an offshore station to come back on the air and keep alive the spirit of
Free Radio and adventure at sea - the concept of Offshore radio for today's, and
future generations.
Every year France Radio Club hosts the Euroradio convention - a meeting of Free
Radio enthusiasts from across Europe, allowing them to join personalities from
the offshore radio scene past and present. Euroradio was first held in Calais in
July 1990, and is now held annually around September.
One of the main aims of France Radio Club is to collect as much archive material
(sound, film, video, paperwork, documents, photographs, etc) on the subject of
offshore radio and its history, and make these available to the public. We are
always looking for good quality material, to preserve the history of offshore
radio, for the present and future generations.
France Radio Club has helped numerous media sources - TV and Radio with research
on the offshore stations. For example, BBC2's Arena and French TV's Thalassa
programmes on Radio Caroline. France Radio Club has regularly participated in
various debates on radio.
SUBSCRIPTION
AND PRODUCTS
Offshore
Echo's magazine is published 4 times a year, with single copies available at
£5.00 (8.00 €) each.
Offshore Echo's magazine annual subscription costs £22.00 (35.00 €) in Europe or
£27 (41.55€) airmail for the rest of the world. For both editions, £40.00 (61.50
€) in Europe or £48.00 (73.85€) airmail rest of world.
- - - - PAYMENT - - - -
Offshore Echo's/ France Radio Club also have for sale a large collection of Compact discs, videos, cassettes, books, etc, of interest to the Offshore and free radio enthusiast. See The Offshore Echo’s Collection on this web site. A free printed version of our catalogue also available, please send an A5 sized SAE, or 2 IRC's for a copy.
CONTACTS
OFFSHORE
ECHO'S, P.O. Box 1514, LONDON W7
2LL, ENGLAND
Email : oem@offshoreechos.com
FRANCE RADIO CLUB, 338 rue Pierre Leroux, F-76580 LE TRAIT, FRANCE
Email : frc@offshoreechos.com
Phone: 00332 35 37 04 74